HURON — Ted Haeder, President/CEO of Greater Huron Development Corporation (GHDC), spoke Thursday to the Beadle County Republican women at their monthly luncheon at Ryan’s Hangar.

He opened with a bit of background, explaining that he graduated from Wolsey in 1992. He noted that he worked with Gov. Bill Janklow’s economic development office and also under Gov. Mike Rounds.

He then worked with multiple planning districts before having an opportunity to move “home” to Huron in 2018.
Haeder discussed his work with GHD, serving as one of two full-time staff employed by Greater Huron to do the work they do along with one part-time staff.

Haeder first explored some of the residential development in town, including Southtown and the Broadland Creek development districts, along with new property purchased on the Southeast part of town. He also noted that infrastructure funds have been used to put together curb and gutter along with sewer and water to those developments.

He then discussed the industrial development, highlighting the industrial parks open for new businesses on each side of town. He mentioned that GHDC has built nine “spec” buildings, with one remaining in the West Industrial Park, with a few businesses that have expressed interest, most recently a beef processing plant.

Haeder highlighted the downtown facade grant that GHDC offers, highlighting the growth in the downtown area in the time he’s been with GHDC. He noted that fifteen buildings were considered vacant in the downtown corridor when he came on in 2018. Now there are only a handful. He noted that downtown businesses can utilize the facade grant to improve rear entries in preparation for the upcoming construction on Dakota Ave. through downtown.

Regarding private land development, Haeder mentioned that GHDC can assist with private developers that would like to apply for the state infrastructure money that is currently available, as private developers require sponsorship through a city entity.

Haeder also highlighted the involvement of GHDC with workforce recruitment and development. He emphasized the work between GHDC and the Huron School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. He noted that CTE classes often give many students an eye on the trades and also an eye on the ability to stay here in Huron to do that work.

The next Beadle County Republican Women meeting will be October 19 with Ron Volesky as the guest speaker.